Curry Ready For The 'Fun Competition' At Toledo

Braden Curry RHP / 1B / Anthony Wayne, OH / 2024

WHITEHOUSE - It was on the way home from a visit to another college when Braden Curry came to the realization that he had already found the school for him.

“On the way back from Marshall the day after visiting Toledo when I was talking to my mom the whole way back, saying there was nothing wrong with Toledo,” Curry reflected. “The fact that I’ll be able to play close to home, my parents love the idea.”

A day prior, the 36th-rated 2024 right-handed pitcher in Ohio had checked out the Division I university not far from where he lives in Whitehouse.

“Being from around Toledo, I’d never really looked into it,” admitted the Anthony Wayne High School senior. “When I went on the visit I saw another side of it. The facilities are nice and it’s super close to home so my parents can come watch games.”

State College in Florida, where his father played baseball, Findlay and Cincinnati were others under consideration when Curry went to Marshall for what turned out to be his last college visit.

“It didn’t go so well,” Curry related. “Once Toledo put the offer out I accepted within 30 hours. The offer was too good. I loved the relationship I had with the coaches. They’re really truthful guys.”

Toledo, which saw the 75th-ranked senior in the state at the Top Prospect Games, during a summer ballgame played at the university and at a UT camp, found a lot to like about the 6-2 165-pounder.

“They like my pitchability, my pitch mix and how I can move the ball around,” Curry explained. “They saw my projectability, how skinny and tall I was and how whippy I can be. Also, how big my dad is (6-7) and my shoe size.”

Curry pointed to his father as being a major part of his dream to play at the next level.

“My dad was drafted out of State College in 1984,” Curry said of his father, Steve, who pitched professionally until 1994, including three games with the Red Sox in 1988. “That’s why I was super interested in doing this. It’s always been a dream of mine, especially to play at the D-I level. My sister plays softball at Northwestern and that encouraged me to be a D-I player. In eighth grade I became serious about it and started working harder.”

Improvement picked up in the past year.

“Junior year during tryouts that fall ball season I was 82-84, but spent time with Zach Willeman and over the course of the winter he helped me out. I give him and my catcher, Trysten (Nowicki), a lot of credit with my offseason improvement.”

The numbers got better and interest followed.

“The biggest thing that PBR did was tracking me during high school,” Curry noted. “I was always super small, and tracking me sophomore year I was upper-70s, low-80s. Junior year I grew into my body. To have PBR there to show my numbers improved was huge.

“Another big thing was when I had my second start against Perrysburg. I didn’t know scouts would be there and I had a rough day. After the game my dad told me Oakland was there. That gave me a punch in the face. I had another shaky start against Springfield but thanks to coach (Ryan) Donley and my dad I figured it out. They said to go be you and quit thinking too much. I pitched well against Medina in the regional championship game and I think Toledo was there.”

Curry is confident he can be successful at the next level.

“I’ll bring a ton of pitchability,” Curry said. “Not only will you see me in the 90s soon, I’m hoping by the time I’m at Toledo I won’t be touching anything under 88. I want to be a big piece of it as a freshman with all the old-school things my dad has taught me - jaeger bands, long toss and hitting your spots.”

Now that a commitment has been made, the 18-year-old admits a bit of relief has hit home.

“It was a cool feeling but at the same time stressful with interest from other schools,” Curry said.

Biology, engineering and business are being considered as majors by the 3.3 student, who is excited about a future playing baseball at the Mid-American Conference school.

“I’m looking forward to the competition 100 percent,” Curry concluded. “I hate pitching against teams that don’t want to be there and I love pitching against teams that want to beat me. Every kid in Division I wants to win and get drafted, so it’s going to be fun competition.”